Gov. Rick Scott approves $45.6 million loan for state courts

Gov. Rick Scott has approved a $45.6 million loan for the state courts system.

The transfer from the State Treasury should allow the courts to maintain services without furloughs or disruptions through March.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Canady requested the loan in letters to Scott and Sen. J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, and Rep. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, two weeks ago. The courts are largely funded by fees from mortgage foreclosure filings, which have proved a volatile source of support. More on that problem here.

The loan must be paid no later than June 30.

The Legislature directed the courts and Clerks of Court to present a plan for a new source of revenue by Nov. 1. Jerry McDaniel, Scott's Office of Policy and Budget director, asked the courts to provide him a copy, according to the letter he sent Canady on Tuesday approving the loan request.